§ THE MINISTER OF STATE, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND SOCIAL SECURITY (LORD ABERDARE)My Lords, I beg to move the Motion that stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ Moved, That the Draft Appropriation (No. 3) (Northern Ireland) Order 1972, laid before the House on November 8, be approved.—(Lord Aberdare.)
§ LORD SHACKLETONMy Lords, before the Motion is agreed to, may I say that under present arrangements it is not really possible to discuss these Orders effectively. I am very conscious of the fact that the noble Lord, Lord Windlesham, who is always extremely conscientious in seeking to help the House, is also occupied elsewhere and that this was the most convenient time to take this Order; but may I ask the noble Earl one question? If he does not have the answer to-day because he was not expecting the question, perhaps he will note it and when we debate Northern Ireland, which we shall be doing in a fortnight's time, he can come back to it. It concerns the reasons for the decline in the expenditure of the Ministry of Education. Since we agreed that we should not pursue the matter because we did not want to bring Lord Windlesham back, perhaps the noble Earl could note that matter and answer us at a later date.
§ LORD ABERDAREMy Lords, I am grateful to the noble Lord. He has flattered me by promoting me to "noble Earl", and I therefore cannot deny him anything. However, I cannot in fact give him the answer straight away, but I will see that it is sent to him.
§ LORD SHACKLETONMy Lords. I apologise. We are very sorry that the real noble Earl, the Leader of the House, is away sick.
§ On Question, Motion agreed to.